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How SMRT Made the East-West Line the Most Reliable MRT Line in Singapore

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The East-West Line (EWL) in Singapore is the oldest line that connects central Singapore to both eastern and western parts of the country. It started operations in December 1987 as part of the North-South line. With a total of 35 stations from Tuas Link to PasirRis and a branch line to Changi Airport, EWL is the longest train line in the island. It is 56.7km long.

As Singapore’s first mass rapid transit (MRT) operator, SMRT Trains runs the North-South and East-West Lines (NSEWL) along with Circle Line (CCL), Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL), and the Bukit Panjang Light Rail Transit (BPLRT). It serves more than 2 million passenger journeys daily.

Being the operator of the EWL line, SMRT plays a crucial role in its maintenance, improvement, and transformation of the rail line. Let’s check out how the operator made EWL the most reliable MRT line in Singapore.

  • The operator changed the fibre optic cables in the East-West Line along viaducts and tunnels to monitor and transmit information seamlessly from onsite equipment to the Operations Control Centre (OCC).
  • SMRT installed Voltage Limiting Device (VLD) tomitigate touch voltage issues without affecting rail operations. The high voltage network has also been reconfigured to ensure a single point of failure doesn’t disrupt the entire rail network.
  • Disconnector switches have been installed in NSEWL lines to compartmentalise the rail network power supply. These switches allow the operator to quickly isolate, identify, and rectify faults.
  • The new signalling system in the EWL linehas helped SMRTto run trains at shorter intervals. This system uses advanced communications technology to constantly update the traffic management system.
  • The Moving Block system used in the EWL line is like a safety bubble that moves with and protects the train.
  • The Third Rail replacement project carried out in the NSEWL lines has increased the reliability of the electrical system.
  • The operator is using the Track Access Management System (TAMS) to simplify and optimise track access management process.
  • SMRT has replaced many passenger trains that are now running on the new signalling system.
  • It has strengthened its repair and maintenance capabilities with new technologies and skilled workforce.

The renewal projects to upgrade the East-West Line by SMRT has helped the operator to garner praises from the government and commuters.

In June 2020, East-West Line (EWL) received two awards under the MOT Challenge Shield from the Ministry of Transport:

  1. Most Reliable Line 2019: East-West Line (EWL)
  2. Most Improved Line 2019: EWL

With the transformations introduced by SMRT in the EWL line, this rail network has been able to cross the Mean Kilometre Between Failure(MKBF) mark of 1.48 million train-km in 2019.

SMRT CEO Neo Kian Hong said: “With good consistent performance, strong processes and commitment to continual improvement, I am confident that SMRT willtransformthe East-West Line and other MRT networks.”

Neo Kian Hong further stated: “We are confident that the East-West Line is successfully renewed and upgraded so that commuters can look forward to a rail network with far better reliability.

Conclusion

The multi-year, multi-project efforts by SMRT Corporation to renew and improve the East-West Line have enabled the company to bring the biggest transformation in Singapore’s oldest rail line. The modernised rail network is providing passengers to enjoy smoother, safer rides and reliable journeys on the EWL, North-South Line, and other rail lines operated by SMRT.

About the Author

Sheena Williams

Sheena is a technology officer for a metro train manufacturing company in Germany. Currently, she lives in Germany but has lived in Singapore for 15 years during her early professional career. She often shares her views on train performance, technologies, and MRT networks in operation around the world.

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